As ridiculous as it may sound, teaching your dog to willingly dunk their head in water may one day save their life. So say researchers in a fascinating study that takes immersion training to a whole new level. Based on their experiments, scientists have found that head dunking is the most effective way to rapidly cool off our pups.
Many of us can overexert ourselves in hot weather, but our furry canine friends are particularly susceptible to severe health problems from overheating. For years, dog experts have given us pup parents guidance on how to help our furry friends when they’re suffering from heat exhaustion or worse – heat stroke. This new method, say researchers, could revolutionize dog cooling methods.
Why Is Head Dunking Better?
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The groundbreaking study, published recently in the prestigious Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), tested four promising methods for cooling off dogs as fast as possible to prevent life-threatening heat-related illnesses. The research was conducted by experts at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.
They found that training dogs to voluntarily dunk their heads into a 22°C, or 71.6°F, body of water was the most effective intervention to prevent exercise-induced hyperthermia and heat stress. The other three protocols researchers tested involved securing two ice packs on a dog’s neck inside the collar, placing a cool, wet towel around the neck, and putting a cool towel under each of the dogs’ armpits. Compared to these other methods, head dunking:
- Was the only protocol to decrease the core body temperature in the first 30 seconds after exercise
- Produced the lowest average core temperature in the first 5 minutes
- Led to the lowest temperatures 6 to 40 minutes after the intervention
While this study focused on how to best cool down working military and law enforcement dogs, these new findings have far-reaching implications for pet owners who need to cool down their canine companions. Teaching your pup to dunk their head in water can also serve as an effective way to flush out nasal passages and irrigate irritated eyes.
Why Do Dogs Overheat So Easily?
Cynthia Otto, DVM, PhD, director of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center and the study’s lead author explains, “Dogs don’t sweat, and they rely on panting; that’s really got some serious limitations. Once they reach a point of excess heat, they can’t continue to cool, and they can go from looking fine to collapsing. Once they develop full-on heat stroke, they have about a 50% survival rate.” According to the Penn-Today press release, heat-induced injuries are the most common non-traumatic cause of death for law enforcement and military dogs, who may be in an environment with limited resources for cooling.
“Cool First, Transport Second”
This catchphrase is one of the major takeaways from this study — and from pet experts in general. It’s critical for owners to intervene immediately when pups show signs of overheating before seeking emergency veterinary care. Getting your dog’s body temperature down as soon as possible is key to saving their life.
Excessive panting is the first red flag that your furry friend may be struggling with the heat. Other signs that your pup could be overheating and even suffering from heat stroke include:
- Rapid breathing
- Elongated tongue
- Drooling
- Flattened ears
- Dry, sticky gums
- Disorientation and confusion
- Lethargy
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Seizures
- Collapse
- Loss of consciousness
If you notice any of these signs, begin cooling your dog off immediately and seed emergency vet treatment.
Dogs Most At Risk For Overheating
Two main types of dogs are more susceptible to heat-related health issues, including heat stroke. Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds are the most affected. Due to their short skulls and flat faces, these dogs have compromised airways, making them less able to cool themselves down by panting. Not surprisingly, dogs with thick coats are also prone to overheating. Finally, obese dogs, senior dogs, and those who have underlying health conditions, like heart problems, can also have trouble in hot temperatures.
A 2020 study of over 900,000 dogs in the U.K. found the following breeds (in order of incidence) had the highest rates of heat-related illness (HRI). Over 14% of the dogs suffering from HRI died — a statistic that highlights the importance of rapid cooling techniques.
- Chow Chow
- English Bulldog
- French Bulldog
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- Greyhound
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Pug
- Golden Retriever
- English Springer Spaniel
- Boxer
Immersion Training Tips
Researchers emphasize using positive reinforcement training to teach dogs all types of skills, including voluntary head dunking. It involves reward-based training techniques using toys, treats, and lots of praise to help motivate your dog to modify its behavior.
- Place a heavy treat or toy in an empty container. You’ll want to use a clear bin that’s large enough for your pup to eventually immerse their head in water. It’s also important to use a reward that won’t float once your bin is full of water.
- Let your dog get the treat out of the bin and mark/praise them.
- Add clean, room-temperature water to the bin. Fill it enough to cover the bottom of the container but no higher than the fleshy part of your dog’s nose.
- Place the treat/toy in the water and let your dog retrieve it. Mark/praise.
- Double the amount of water and repeat.
- Continue gradually increasing the amount of water. If your pup isn’t blowing bubbles out of their nose, you can hold the treat down in the water to encourage your dog to breathe in the water.
- Once your dog has mastered blowing bubbles, you can move on to full-head dunking. Again, it’s best to use a heavy treat toy, like a rubber ball, that won’t float.
- Continue gradually increasing the depth of the water until it’s past your dog’s eyes when they retrieve it.
You can find a video tutorial for voluntary head dunking at https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/aop/javma.24.07.0480/javma.24.07.0480.xml.
A lot of heat prevention involves common sense. Avoid taking your dog outside in extremely high temperatures. Take short walks and short play sessions in hot weather, and provide your pup with plenty of drinking water. Never leave your dog alone in a vehicle, even in mild temperatures. Cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures within minutes. In the summer months, be aware that hot pavement can burn your dog’s pads. See our reviews of the best dog shoes for hot pavement for our top picks. Also, some dogs need dog-friendly sunscreen to prevent sun damage to their skin.
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Sally has over 20 years of experience in human health sciences communications, including 10 years as an expert on pet health conditions, treatment, and training. She’s an avid enthusiast and researcher of the latest scientific studies on all things canine. Sally is part of a team of canine professionals and long-time dog owners who stay on top of the most helpful research, best products, and more for our own pups and those of all of our readers.